naumachia

American  

[naw-mey-kee-uh] / nɔˈmeɪ ki ə /

noun

PLURAL

naumachiae, naumachias

1. a mock sea fight, given as a spectacle among the ancient Romans.

2. a place for presenting such spectacles.

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naumachia British  

/ nɔːˈmeɪkɪə, ˈnɔːməkɪ /

noun

1. a mock sea fight performed as an entertainment

2. an artificial lake used in such a spectacle

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Etymology

Origin of naumachia

1590–1600; < Latin: mock naval battle < Greek naumachía a sea fight, equivalent to naû ( s ) ship + mách ( ē ) battle, fight + -ia -ia

Example Sentences

The gladiation officials insisted, however, that gladiating was “as safe as it has always been, and definitely way safer than naumachia.”

From Washington Post

The naumachia was a sea-fight, either in the arena, which was flooded for the occasion by a system of pipes and sluices, or on an artificial lake.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes the vast arena was flooded with water, and naumachia or sea-fights were exhibited.

From Project Gutenberg

The brother and heir of the murdered man offered him to me cheap for the naumachia, and if he survived--for the tiger.

From Project Gutenberg

Fourth; naumachia, or the representation of a sea fight; those who fought, were usually composed of captives or condemned malefactors, who fought to death, unless saved by the clemency of the emperors.

From Project Gutenberg